Disturbed bird nest in bush

Einhard

Hey,
Was out cutting down a few bushes in the garden, and when I had cut away much of the dense foliage on one, I spotted a nest with four small chicks in it. They all seem to be breathing, but they are very small and look as if they're totally dependent on their parents. I've stopped work on that bush, and have placed a cover over the exposed nest to stop cats etc getting at the chicks, but I'm concerned that the damage has been done already. I haven't seen the parents in the two hours, although I have been working nearby so perhaps they were put off by my presence. Any ideas on how I proceed?

Mothman

Refer to this recent thread

Leave it alone. The parents need peace to go back and feed the young

You don't mention what you mean by cover, but this could make the parents shy in coming back. I'd just try placing some of the cut vegetation back on bush but only if the parents are back in action, say tomorrow.

Einhard

Thanks for the reply. I've left the bush alone, but I need to continue workign in the vicinity. I shouldn't think that would cause any problems because I've worked around that area before, and it obviously hasn't put them off previously.

As for the cover, the side of the nest with the nest is now very exposed, so I loosely propped some wooden lattice over that area, and put two cuttings over that. There's still loads of room for the parents to get in.

If the parents don't come back, should I just leave 'em die?

swifts need our help!

There is a difference between a bird sitting tight on a nest while you work close by and you putting her off and continuing to work in the area and she cant get back on the nest.

I hate seeing people cutting down any garden tree or shrub at this time of year.

My guess it depends on the species if they will like the damage to the bush

Mothman

Einhard wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I've left the bush alone, but I need to continue workign in the vicinity. I shouldn't think that would cause any problems because I've worked around that area before, and it obviously hasn't put them off previously.

This was before its home was torn asunder. Parents will be very wary and very slow to go to nest in your presence. This delay means the chicks only getting a portion of food and one or more of the clutch may perish.

Is this a paid job that you must do? If not then maybe you don't really have to continue working in the vicinity? The nest will be vacated in about 2 weeks.

As for the cover, the side of the nest with the nest is now very exposed, so I loosely propped some wooden lattice over that area, and put two cuttings over that. There's still loads of room for the parents to get in.

Many birds will use landmarks to locate their nest. Its not the room that is an issue, its the changing of landmarks which could disorientate the parents looking for nest.

If the parents don't come back, should I just leave 'em die?

Well either that or take over which frankly is a 24 hour job and would still be a minor miracle to succeed, but it can be done!

Hopefully you'll have good news for us in the morning

Einhard

Good news. The mammy and daddy appear to be back.

I'm leaving the bush as it is until they've flown the nest so to speak.

Hopefully the parents will stick around.